After Helena's popular Vigilante Day Parade was canceled, a group of citizens decided to organize what they are calling the Vigilante Cruise instead.

The event is scheduled to begin at noon on Friday, May 8.

According to event organizers, the event was created to give Helena High and Capital High students a positive way to continue a long tradition in a way that adheres to COVID-19 guidelines. The event is set to include a convoy of vehicles celebrating the vigilante spirit while maintaining social distancing.

Although event organizers are confident that they are taking adequate precautions, Lewis and Clark Public Health "strongly encouraged" them to postpone the event until Montana enters Phase 2 of Gov. Steve Bullock's plan to reopen the state. County Health Officer Drenda Niemann sent them a letter saying the event "sets a dangerous precedent in a community that has been diligently working the past several weeks to comply with orders and protect against the spread of the virus," and that physical distancing cannot be guaranteed.

Spectators will be able to watch the parade as it passes by their homes. Those uncomfortable with that will have the option to watch a live streamed version of the cruise provided by local television outlets. The route was expanded to allow for better social distancing and will pass by several neighborhoods and retirement facilitates.

No equestrians or walking will be allowed. Trailers acting as floats are allowed, but the organizers say nobody should be on the floats.

Organizers said the point of this event is to help bring some sense of normalcy to students who have had their year turned upside down. In the absence of sports, prom and graduation ceremonies, this event could be one of the final opportunities for graduating seniors to see one another.

The group even collected donations in order to give out prizes, in keeping with the Vigilante Day Parade tradition.

2019 Vigilante Parade

2019 Vigilante Parade

2019 Vigilante Parade

2019 Vigilante Parade

The 95th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 83 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge

2019 Vigilante Parade

The 95th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 83 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge

2019 Vigilante Parade

The 95th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 83 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge

2019 Vigilante Parade

The 95th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 83 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2018 Vigilante Parade

The 94th Vigilante Parade, comprised of 91 floats, makes its way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

The annual Vigilante Parade rolls through Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

Hollee Goody holds Charlie Goody while petting a horse before the start of the annual Vigilante Parade on Last Chance Gulch, Friday afternoon. The parade, in its 93rd year, features dozens of floats representing "the pioneer life of Last Chance Gulch" created by students from Helena and Capital high schools.

Thom Bridge,

2017 Vigilante Parade

Student re-create the Carroll College Smoker Friday afternoon during the annual Vigilante Parade on Last Chance Gulch.

Thom Bridge,

2016 Vigilante Parade

About 80 floats, created by Helena high school students, made their way down Last Chance Gulch on May 6, 2016 for the annual Vigilante Parade.

Thom Bridge,

2016 Vigilante Parade

About 80 floats, created by Helena high school students, made their way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon for the annual Vigilante Parade.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2016 Vigilante Parade

About 80 floats, created by Helena high school students, made their way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon for the annual Vigilante Parade.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2016 Vigilante Parade

About 80 floats, created by Helena high school students, made their way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon for the annual Vigilante Parade.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2016 Vigilante Parade

About 80 floats, created by Helena high school students, made their way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon for the annual Vigilante Parade.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2016 Vigilante Parade

About 80 floats, created by Helena high school students, made their way down Last Chance Gulch for the 2016 Vigilante Parade.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2016 Vigilante Parade

About 80 floats, created by Helena high school students, made their way down Last Chance Gulch Friday afternoon for the annual Vigilante Parade.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

The Madison Buffalo Jump was a popular theme this year with many students heaving themselves off the cliff structure cloaked in Buffalo costumes.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

Nearly 120 floats celebrating Helena's enduring history made their way through Last Chance Gulch Friday during the Vigilante Parade, facilitated by both Helena high schools.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

Nearly 120 floats celebrating Helena's enduring history made their way through Last Chance Gulch Friday during the Vigilante Parade, facilitated by both Helena high schools.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

Nearly 120 floats celebrating Helena's enduring history made their way through Last Chance Gulch Friday during the Vigilante Parade, facilitated by both Helena high schools.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

The 91st Vigilante Day Parade will start at noon on Friday in downtown Helena. More than 80 floats constructed by high school students will pay homage to the Queen City's history.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

It was a bloody scene on the St. Peter's Hospital float.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

The Helena High marching band performs during Friday's Vigilante Parade in Downtown Helena.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

Nearly 120 floats celebrating Helena's enduring history made their way through Last Chance Gulch Friday during the Vigilante Parade, facilitated by both Helena high schools.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

Nearly 120 floats celebrating Helena's enduring history made their way through Last Chance Gulch Friday during the Vigilante Parade, facilitated by both Helena high schools.

Thom Bridge, Independent Record

2015 Vigilante Parade

Nearly 120 floats celebrating Helena's enduring history made their way through Last Chance Gulch Friday during the Vigilante Parade, facilitated by both Helena high schools.

In this episode: A Helena woman sentenced to 100 years for delivering children to convicted rapist, Helena's public school buildings won't reopen this spring, Camp Child to house God's Love residents, Bad Betty's Barbecue revives old food truck to survive pandemic restrictions and the new Equity Fountain installed where Helena's Confederate monument once stood.